The treatment center offers convenient access to nationally recognized cancer care, including clinical trials, for residents of southern and central Illinois and beyond. The initial site is at 4000 N. Illinois Lane; however, a new facility is being planned for the Memorial Hospital East campus in nearby Shiloh, Ill., that would open in early 2020.

Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the region.

“Siteman Cancer Center is pleased to be able to extend into Illinois the exceptional cancer care provided by our Washington University physicians,” said Timothy J. Eberlein, MD, Siteman director and the Spencer T. and Ann W. Olin Distinguished Professor at the School of Medicine. “Construction of our newest facility in Illinois during 2019 also will mark a milestone, as Siteman recognizes our 20th year of providing care for patients, now on both sides of the Mississippi River.”

Siteman’s location in Swansea formerly housed The Cancer Treatment Center and Illinois Oncology Ltd. Radiation oncologists Susan Laduzinsky, MD, and Jason Lee, MD, previously with The Cancer Treatment Center, and nurse practitioner Rhonda McCabe began offering care Aug. 1 as part of Washington University Physicians in Illinois Inc., a physicians group affiliated with Washington University and dedicated to providing clinical care in Illinois. They join medical oncologists William J. Popovic, MD; Alfred O. Greco, MD; Guillermo Rodriguez Jr., MD; and John L. Visconti, DO, previously with Illinois Oncology Ltd., who already practice as part of the same group at the Swansea facility.

Construction on the facility at Memorial Hospital East, part of BJC HealthCare, is expected to begin later this year. Memorial Hospital East and Washington University Physicians in Illinois Inc. will jointly operate the new Siteman facility when it opens in early 2020.

“Together, we will offer the most advanced cancer care in the region, along with access to leading-edge clinical trials, in a location closer to home for Illinois residents,” said Mark J. Turner, president of Memorial Regional Health Services, which includes Memorial Hospital East and Memorial Hospital Belleville.

Siteman is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center within 200 miles of St. Clair County in Illinois. An international leader in cancer care, research, prevention, education and community outreach, Siteman was established in 1999 with a $35 million gift from Alvin J. and Ruth Siteman. Since then, it has grown to become one of the five largest cancer centers in the country based on the number of patients treated – 50,000 people each year, including 10,000 who are newly diagnosed.

In 2015, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded Siteman an “exceptional” rating, the highest possible, based on a rigorous review of the cancer center’s research programs. Siteman also is the region’s only member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a nonprofit alliance of 27 cancer centers dedicated to improving the quality and effectiveness of cancer care.

At Siteman, care is provided by physicians who specialize in a particular type of cancer, including rare tumors.

“Unusual cancers that may be seen infrequently elsewhere are everyday concerns to us,” said Jeff Michalski, MD, vice chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology and the Carlos A. Perez Distinguished Professor of Radiation Oncology at the School of Medicine. “We are pleased to be able to offer the expertise of our Washington University physicians and our advanced treatments to residents of southern and central Illinois.”

Overall, Siteman offers more than 400 therapeutic clinical trials, which are designed to evaluate the effectiveness of innovative cancer therapies. By participating in a clinical trial, patients can gain early access to investigational therapies that are not widely available to the public. Siteman patients seen in Swansea will have access to those trials.

Washington University researchers at Siteman’s main location also have broad expertise in genomics and immunology, which is helping to inform new approaches to cancer diagnosis and treatment. These scientists are developing personalized treatments for breast, brain and other types of cancer, including personalized vaccines and other immunotherapies aimed at boosting a patient’s own immune system to fight the disease.

“Care at Siteman is backed by the innovative research of Washington University scientists and physicians,” said John DiPersio, MD, PhD, Siteman deputy director and the Virginia E. and Sam J. Golman Professor of Medicine in Oncology at the School of Medicine. “With the expansion, we are able to provide convenient access for Illinois residents to treatments and research programs that have the potential to benefit patients.”

Washington University School of Medicine’s 1,300 faculty physicians also are the medical staff of Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals. The School of Medicine is a leader in medical research, teaching and patient care, ranking among the top 10 medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Through its affiliations with Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children’s hospitals, the School of Medicine is linked to BJC HealthCare.

BJC HealthCare is one of the largest nonprofit health care organizations in the United States, and is focused on delivering services to residents primarily in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois and mid-Missouri regions. BJC serves the health care needs of urban, suburban and rural communities and includes 15 hospitals and multiple community health locations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care and hospice.

Siteman Cancer Center, ranked among the top cancer treatment centers by U.S. News & World Report, also is one of only a few cancer centers to receive the highest rating of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) – “exceptional.” Comprising the cancer research, prevention and treatment programs of Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Siteman treats adults at six locations and partners with St. Louis Children’s Hospital in the treatment of pediatric patients. Siteman is Missouri’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and the state’s only member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. Through the Siteman Cancer Network, Siteman Cancer Center works with regional medical centers to improve the health and well-being of people and communities by expanding access to cancer prevention and control strategies, clinical studies and genomic and genetic testing, all aimed at reducing the burden of cancer.

Memorial Regional Health Services (MRHS) is a non-profit organization which is part of BJC HealthCare. It is the parent organization of Memorial Hospital Belleville, Memorial Hospital East, Memorial Care Center. Mark J. Turner serves as president. Memorial is integrated with BJC HealthCare, one of the largest non-profit healthcare organizations in the United States with annual net revenues of $5 billion and more than 31,000 employees in the greater St. Louis, southern Illinois, and mid-Missouri regions. Serving the healthcare needs of urban, suburban, and rural communities, BJC includes 15 hospitals and community health service organizations. Services include inpatient and outpatient care, primary care, community health and wellness, workplace health, home health, community mental health, rehabilitation, long-term care, and hospice. Memorial Hospital East is a 94-all private bed MAGNET designated hospital located in Shiloh, Illinois. Memorial Hospital East offers a 24/7 emergency department, medical, surgical and diagnostic services including cardiac catheterization, imaging and laboratory. The Family Care Birthing Center features 16 spacious LDRP suites, two dedicated C-section rooms and neonatology coverage.

Consistently ranked a top medical school for research, Washington University School of Medicine is also a catalyst in the St. Louis biotech and startup scene. Our community includes recognized innovators in science, medical education, health care policy and global health. We treat our patients and train new leaders in medicine at Barnes-Jewish and St. Louis Children's hospitals, both ranked among the nation’s best hospitals and recognized for excellence in care.